I am running 35x12.5x17 bfg km2's. I have a spare but dont want to mount it on the stock carrier. So my stock spare (sahara) is mounted and my full size spare sits at the house or in the back of my friends truck when we go wheelin. This is only temporary until I can get a carrier bumper combo.

So my question is does anyone have any experience with having to run a smaller tire on a jk and how bad did the esp system freak out?

The reason I ask is my friend will be out of town this weekend and I want to wheel without my fullsize spare available to me. I guess I will throw it in the back of the truck before I leave and the ol lady can run it out to me if I need it. It will be about a two hour wait for me but my little spare should get me out of the trail system and back to the clubhouse where I can meet her. Or is the esp gonna freak out enough to keep me from goin anywhere?!

 

Won't this work: If the ESP gets cranky, just turn it off--or as off as it can go--by pushing and holding the ESP button for seven seconds or so.

Also, it's not a bad idea to carry a tire repair kit when wheeling (at least one in the group), as well as to have a way to pump air. Sometimes the tire damage is not repairable, but sometimes that's all you need to get going again.

 

It all depends on where you are. If you have to put the smaller wheel on the front, i wouldnt do it, or if your in pretty deep in the trail, i would wait for the ol' lady. now if you can get back to more level ground quickly, you may be ok. Just keep in mind, yea its only about a 2.5 in difference in height, but thats alot of added stress you dont want. Or just make sure you dont do anything too stupid and you wont have to replace it

 

Well it wont fit in the jeep with my stuff. My main concearn is getting from the back of the property to the front to get my spare. Lots of climbin hills mostly to get out depending on how far in I am.

 

Since the tire diameter is the main thing, can you get a tall skinny tire for that 35" spare diameter ; tread width,pattern, even rim diameter don't have to match the road wheels for a SPARE- total diameter must. I can't offhand think of 35s + that are skinny other than Ag tires, but someone will.. Save weight and room for other 'stuff'..

 

Why not throw the spare in the back of the JK?

 

I recall you have a sahara. That model has the LSD in the rear. Given a choice you wouldn't want a tire difference up front because of safety, yet you don't want it in the rear because it will ruin your LSD.

I say, get a wheel spacer and mount the larger tire on your factory carrier for a few runs until you can get a swing away.

I am against putting anything on your roof - especially a spare tire. That much weight up that high will cause you to get very top heavy.

Given a choice, I'd put it on the back, or put it in the back and store all your stuff on top of it.

 

If the rolling diameter of the spare is the same as the road tires, even though it is narrower, that should not be an issue with the LSD (O really, LSD)....

 

First, I was unaware the LSD was standard on any JKs. Regardless, plenty of stock vehicles come from the factory with LSD and a reduced-size spare--my 1979 Trans Am comes to mind immediately. I have to wonder if this "common knowledge" has any truth to it. What is it that the automotive engineers don't know?

 

And that's exactly what happens when you don't fully turn off the ESP (by holding the button for five or seven or whatever seconds).